FIRST-STRING Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

first-string

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ

Definition of first-string

as in excellent

of the very best kind a first-string rendition of the musical piece

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of first-string If Willis works with the first-string offensive line as expected, he’ll at times be matched up against Chargers interior defensive linemen Teair Tart, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jamaree Caldwell and Justin Eboigbe. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 There was a moment Tuesday morning during walk-throughs when Barron lined up as first-string nickel. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Defensively, the Falcons played much of their first-string front seven, or at least rotational players, throughout the first half. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Burrow and the first-string offensive line played two series, with the franchise quarterback going 5 of 6 for 39 yards. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first-string

Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string

Adjective

Her excellent debut, 2007’s Free Food for Millionaires, features upwardly mobile Korean Americans whose desire for security Lee portrayed both sympathetically and critically.

— Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
If that feels unattainable, though, Baldino’s other spots are equally excellent and open to anyone.

— Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

This is the time of year the prime starters separate themselves from average ones.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Availability rates in a few corridors — Park Avenue, the World Trade Center — are under 10 percent, rents in some buildings have gone up 20 percent since the winter, and brokers are even starting to see bidding wars over prime office spaces.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of prime

Adjective

Jordan Lawler pinch-ran but was caught stealing on a terrific throw by Marlins catcher Joe Mack.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Scott tears into the Bard’s lines — his Hamlet is terrific — and the spotlight is more on his sense of humor than his pain.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

Together, the 24 songs make for a stellar one-and-a-half hour long sonic journey.

— Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
But aside from those two stellar picks, there’s another season of the Emmy favorite Slow Horses, some new blood on The Traitors, and a new Saoirse Ronan flick.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stellar

Adjective

His homemaker mother Leonor (a superb Maude Sandham) and his 17-year-old sister Ilse (Karoline Watson) complete the immaculate family portrait, but there’s unrest there too.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Now, however, the boutique physical media label Fun City Editions has released a superb Blu-ray of the film, featuring both a gorgeous restoration and illuminating supplements.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of superb

Adjective

Indeed, as much as Chicago has looked to past mayors as larger-than-life figures, the city rarely has accomplished anything great without the active involvement of its business community.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Evolution When asked about the greatest innovation of humans, people will often say language or fire.

— Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of great

Adjective

Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.

— Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

Why would anyone want to destroy lovely old houses, the same houses that made Kensington so desirable, and replace them with buildings that resembled a pile of washing machines 30 floors high?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
Their climactic scenes near the end, once all the obstacles have been removed, are lovely — and not just because Austen’s prose in their outcome is so indestructible.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of lovely

Browse Nearby Words

first-rateness

first-string

firth

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“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of first-string

adjective

Example Sentences

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